NAME: ______________________
Period: ___
THE SCARLET IBIS WEBQUEST
1.
What is a symbol? Instead of going to the textbook for the answer, link to the following site to find the definition of a symbol: www.uky.edu/ArtsSciences/classics/Harris/rhetform.html
2.
This next site gives you a sampling of categories that provide a wide range of symbols. Click on at least five
letters of the alphabet and record your
3.
4.
five
findings on your worksheet.
www.umich.edu/~umfandsf/symbolismproject/symbolism.html
You're going to read a story about a scarlet ibis, and you have probably guessed that it will involve some symbolism. Wouldn't you agree that it would help to understand the story if you knew what a scarlet ibis was? The following site has a picture of the scarlet ibis. www.photohome.com/photos/animal-pictures/birds/scarlet-ibis-1.html
Use the following link to answer the following 3 question: www1.nhl.nl/~ribot/english/euru_ng.htm
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De
Describe the environment in which the scarlet ibis lives.
How is environment important to the bird's survival?

5.
Read the following poem carefully searching for hidden meaning and what the main symbol is.
Answer the questions following the poem.
"First Lesson" by Philip Booth
Lie back, daughter, let your head be tipped back in the cup of my hand.
Gently, and I will hold you. Spread your arms wide, lie out on the stream and look high at the gulls. A deadman's - float is face down. You will dive and swim soon enough where this tidewater ebbs to the sea. Daughter, believe me, when you tire on the long thrash to your island, lie up, and survive.
As you float now, where I held you and let go, remember when fear cramps your heart what I told you:
Lie gently and wide to the light-year stars, lie back, and the sea will hold you.
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The father is giving his daughter advice about floating. This first swim lesson dealing with floating also has a symbolic meaning. Not only is the father giving his daughter advice about floating, but he is also giving his daughter advice about .
What are the SPECIFIC words/phrases that helped you determine what the symbol is
Identify what the symbol is -name it!
6. James Hurst (the author) also uses characters to enhance the meaning of the story. One of his characters has many obstacles to overcome. The following sites have real-life stories of people who have been successful in overcoming difficulties. Use the sites to name/identify a 2-3 real-life people in current times that struggle with a disability and what the disability is.. AND name/identify 2-3 real-life people who lived in the past that struggled with a disability and what the disability is: http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/speech-famous.shtml
http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/famous-polio.shtml
http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/wheelchair-famous.shtml
http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/article_2130.shtml
http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/famous-psoriasis.shtml
http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/ms-famous.shtml
http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/asthma-famous.shtml
http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/famous-deaf.shtml